I hate to sound like some old codger, always talking about the good old days, but sometimes a little historical perspective is helpful.

In the mid-'80s I was working at a local television station. Among other things, I hosted a Sunday morning television show that explored local issues. For one of those shows I did a news piece and then had guests come in to discuss the Milwaukee County Board. The question posed for the show was whether we needed a big, full-time county board.

I don't remember what the answer was, but I sure remember talking seriously about it.

Now we move ahead three decades and today we are about to have the same discussion. A former supervisor who is now in the state Assembly has legislation that would give voters in the county the right to determine whether the board should be smaller, poorer and meet less frequently.

Needless to say, the reaction from County Board members is one of horror at the thought that they might lose their $50,000 a year jobs and their ability to strike fear into the hearts of thousands of county employees by micromanaging their departments and their tasks.

We are going to fight this battle for real in Milwaukee now that the state legislature seems like it might at least call for a referendum.

So we need to be hip to the arguments we're going to hear.

The biggest protest to this idea is going to come from the County Board itself.

We are already hearing screaming about how the board is a part of the checks and balance system of county government. They are shouting about how this would be a loss of local control how it would leave "the people" without representation.

Hogwash. Let's just take a look at what the county board is supposed to do. It doesn't create legislation. Mainly it manages programs designed and funded by the state. The jail, mental health complex, things like that.

As it says in their titles, the county board members are supposed to "supervise" the activities of the departments of county government. But I can tell you they act like little kings of their departments. Just hear that a supervisor is coming to visit and the world turns frantic, cleaning the office, getting files in order, making sure nobody wears jeans to work. It's like getting ready for a potentate.

Our County Board is one of the biggest and most expensive in the nation. Its annual budget is in the neighborhood of $6 million. Supervisors have a staff, to do what, I'm not totally sure. But they've got one.

When you start to think about what the county board does, it's helpful to take a look at their own view. Like most government bodies, they operate by the committee system. Here, from their very own website, is a description of the committees and what they are supposed to do.

• Economic and Community Development
  Meets at 9 a.m. on the second Monday before the County Board Meeting
  The Economic and Community Development oversees the administration of federal, state and local housing programs in the county, including the Urban Community Development Block Grant Program. Matters pertaining to economic development of Milwaukee County, including the best disposition of county properties, are decided by this Committee. It also makes decisions on the Research Park and the Airport Business Park.
• Finance, Personnel and Audit (2013 Budget Hearing Information)
  Meets at 9 a.m. on the first Thursday before the County Board Meeting
  County budget matters, taxation and insurance are all reviewed by this Committee. Audit reports are reviewed to ensure other county departments implement program improvements and cost-saving recommendations of the County Board. This committee also includes employee relations, reclassification, compensation and conditions of employment of County personnel and officers. Members set policy for the Civil Service Commission and administer the county Employee Merit Award program.
• Health and Human Needs
  Meets at 9 a.m. on the second Wednesday before the County Board Meeting
  Policies related to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Mental Health Division, Emergency Medical Services (paramedics), Family Care, and the Children's Court Center are all the responsibility of this Committee. It also reviews policies relating to the Office for Persons with Disabilities and monitors the implementation of the Wisconsin Works program (W-2).
• Intergovernmental Relations
  Meets at the call of the Chair
  Proposed federal, state and local legislation affecting the county is reviewed by this Committee, which also makes recommendations determining the county's policy on these matters. On special occasions, members of the Committee appear before Congress, the State Legislature and governing bodies of other municipalities to support the County Board's policies.
• Judiciary, Safety and General Services
  Meets at 9 a.m. on the second Thursday before the County Board Meeting
  Legal questions concerning lawsuits or claims by or against the county, claims for workers compensation, personal injuries and property damage are all considered by this Committee. Members set policy for County Funded State Court Services, Family Court Commissioners, Jury Commission, Register in Probate, Election Commission, County Clerk, Register of Deeds, Legal Resource Center, Sheriff, Medical Examiner, Safety Commission, District Attorney, House of Correction, Department of Child Support Enforcement, Corporation Counsel and Emergency Management.
• Parks, Energy and Environment
  Meets at 9 a.m. on the second Tuesday before the County Board Meeting
  All matters concerning county parks and parkways are the responsibility of this Committee. Members set policy for the parks department, organized recreation, cultural activities, arts, the University Extension program, and Zoo park services. Members have jurisdiction over matters concerning the conservation of all uses of energy and make recommendations relating to conservation of air, water, energy and all other resources.
• Transportation, Public Works and Transit
  Meets at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday before the County Board Meeting
  The mission of the Department of Transportation, including the construction and maintenance of county highways, bridges, airports, and public structures are the responsibility of this Committee. Members discuss all matters pertaining to the policy of mass transit and the Milwaukee County Transit System, including fares, service routes and capital improvements. The Committee discusses all matters under its jurisdiction pertaining to railroads and public utilities in the county.
• Committee of the Whole
  Some matters coming before the County Board have a significant policy impact or a unique set of circumstances which overlap specific committee jurisdiction. One example is the closing of a major county facility. On such occasions, the Committee of the Whole will meet at the call of the County Board Chairperson. All 18 supervisors are members of the Committee of the Whole.

Here's the thing to remember. For every one of those tasks, the county has hired people who really know what they are doing. For example, the county hires recreation workers to handle the organized recreation department. You probably couldn't find a single supervisor who could organize a dodgeball game.

The best thing about the proposal making its way in Madison, is that it gives voice to the people. We all get to vote, in a binding referendum, on whether the board should be smaller and whether supervisors should be paid like the part-time workers they are. I'm not taking any bets on how that vote will turn out.